Pope And Patriarch's Joint Blessing Seals Historic Turkiye Unity Visit
Cover image: Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Leo during the Divine Liturgy./Vatican News
ISTANBUL, Turkiye—The focus of Pope Leo XIV's Apostolic Journey has moved to Lebanon, but the lasting impact of his landmark visit to Turkiye remains the dramatic display of unity with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of the Orthodox Church.
The three-day visit concluded yesterday, successfully using the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea (AD 325) as a platform to bridge the thousand-year division between Catholicism and Orthodoxy.
The Public Display of Unity
The pinnacle of the ecumenical mission occurred following a prayer service at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St George in Istanbul. In a highly symbolic and unprecedented moment, Pope Leo XIV and Patriarch Bartholomew I appeared together on a prominent balcony overlooking the Phanar district.
Pope Leo XIV and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I offer an Ecumenical Blessing at the Patriarchal Church of St. George in Istanbul, highlighting the fraternity and communion between the Churches of Rome and Constantinople./Vatican News
Before hundreds of gathered faithful, the two leaders delivered a joint blessing simultaneously, using traditional prayers from both the Roman and Byzantine rites. This public exchange was widely hailed by observers as the strongest demonstration of shared ecclesiastical authority and unity achieved between the two Churches in centuries.
Joint Agreement on Global Witness
The solidarity was formally cemented with the signing of the Joint Declaration on Christian Witness. This major accord commits both pontiffs to intensify doctrinal dialogue—the theological work required to fully heal the schism—and to establish concrete steps for global collaboration.
On the third day of his Apostolic Journey to Türkiye, Pope Leo XIV and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I pray the Doxology and sign a Joint Declaration at the Patriarchal Church of St. George in Istanbul./Vatican News
The areas of shared focus include the urgent defence of persecuted Christian communities worldwide, concerted efforts towards environmental protection, and presenting a united front on critical contemporary ethical issues. This commitment ensures that the momentum generated during the anniversary celebration translates into coordinated action on the global stage.
Transition to Lebanon
Pope Leo XIV meets with Lebanese civil authorities in Beirut as he begins his Apostolic Journey to Lebanon, urging the country's young people to speak “the language of hope,” which he said has enabled Lebanon “always to start again.”/Vatican News
Following these milestone events, the Pope’s delegation departed Turkiye and arrived in Beirut late Sunday evening (30 November 2025), commencing the second phase of his journey. The focus in Lebanon will shift towards supporting the crisis-ridden country and promoting interfaith harmony among its diverse religious populations.
